Processes for modifying textiles using ionic liquids

ABSTRACT

Processes for modifying a textile to improve its performance which comprise the steps of a) contacting a textile comprising fibers with a treating composition comprising an ionic liquid under conditions sufficient to modify at least surfaces of the fibers, thereby provide a performance improvement to treated textile; b) optionally, contacting a textile comprising fibers with a composition comprising a benefit agent; and c) at least partially removing the treating composition from the textile. In specific embodiments, the surface modification comprises a partial dissolution of at least one outer layer of the fibers and/or crystal structure change in at least surfaces of the fibers. The surface modification can impart improvements to the textile or allow embedding or attachment of a benefit agent in the fibers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from Provisional Application Serial No. 60/624,053, filed on Nov. 1, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to processes for modifying textiles which comprise fibers. More particularly, the invention is directed to such processes which employ ionic liquid-containing compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, ionic liquids have been extensively evaluated as environmental-friendly or “green” alternatives to conventional organic solvents for a broad range of organic synthetic applications. Ionic liquids offer some unique characteristics that distinguish them from conventional organic solvents, such as no effective vapor pressure, a broad liquid range, high polarity and charge density, can be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic, and unique solvating properties.

One widely studied class of ionic liquids includes imidazolinium salts, such as butylmethylimidazolinium hexafluorophosphate, also known as BMIM/PF6. Other well known ionic liquids include N-1-ethyl 3-methylimidazolinum chloride aluminum (III) chloride, which is usually referred to as [emim]Cl-AlCl3; and N-butyl pyridinium chloride aluminum (III) chloride, which is usually referred to as [Nbupy]Cl-AlCl3. A broad range of ionic liquids have also been investigated in the following references: WO 03/029329; WO 03/074494; WO 03/022812; WO 2004/016570; US 2004/0035293A1; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,602.

In addition to chemical processes, ionic liquids have also been used as microbiocides/plant growth regulators, as described in FR 2434156; as antistatic agents, as described in JP10-265674 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,728; and as fruit and vegetable produce treating agents, as described in WO 01/19200. Other uses of ionic liquids are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,388 as a component of an ink composition; and in J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 124, pp. 4974-4975 (2002), as an agent to dissolve cellulose.

Published PCT Application WO 2004/003120 discloses ionic liquid based products suitable for use in surface or air treating compositions, and ionic liquid cocktails containing three or more different and charged ionic liquid components. The products are particularly useful in various consumer product applications, such as home care, air care, surface cleaning, laundry and fabric care applications.

Owing to various unique properties of ionic liquids, it would be advantageous to employ such materials in additional applications.

Accordingly, it is desirable to employ ionic liquid-containing compositions in textile treating processes. Particularly, the treating process provides improvements to textiles which comprise fibers, and to provide such improvements through the use of ionic liquid-containing compositions. These processes are advantageous in that they allow provision of improved properties to textiles while employing materials recognized as environmentally friendly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to processes for modifying a textile to improve its performance which comprise the steps of a) contacting a textile comprising fibers with a treating composition comprising an ionic liquid under conditions sufficient to modify at least a portion of the surface of the fibers, thereby providing a performance improvement to treated textile; b) optionally, contacting a textile comprising fibers with a composition comprising a benefit agent; and c) at least partially removing the treating composition from the textile. In specific embodiments, the surface modification comprises a partial dissolution of at least one outer layer of the fibers and/or crystal structure change in at least surfaces of the fibers. The surface modification can impart improvements to the textile or allow embedding or attachment of a benefit agent in the fibers.

Additional embodiments and advantages of the processes are described in further detail in the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The processes according to the present invention for modifying a textile which comprises fibers include the steps of a) contacting the textile with a composition comprising an ionic liquid under conditions sufficient to modify at least surfaces of the fibers and provide, or facilitate provision of, a performance improvement thereto; and b) at least partially removing the composition from the textile. Within the present context, a textile which comprises fibers refers to any fiber-containing textile material or product and includes, but is not limited to, loose or free fibers, yarns (including threads), woven textiles, nonwoven textiles, knitted textiles, fabric articles, and the like. Fabric articles include, but are not limited to, garments, components used in the manufacture of garments, carpets, upholstery, and the like. Additionally, the textile fibers may be formed of any natural (e.g., cellulose), regenerated (e.g., rayon), or synthetic material, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the textile fibers comprise a cellulosic material. In another embodiment, the fibers comprise a synthetic material, for example comprising polyester.

In some embodiments, the ionic liquid as used herein refers to a salt that has a melting temperature of about 100° C. or less, or, in an alternative embodiment, has a melting temperature of about 60° C. or less, or, in yet another alternative embodiment, has a melting temperature of about 40° C. or less. In other embodiments, the ionic liquids exhibit no discernible melting point (based on DSC analysis) but are “flowable” at a temperature of about 100° C. or below, or, in another embodiment, are “flowable” at a temperature of from about 20 to about 80° C. i.e., the typical fabric or dish washing temperatures. As used herein, the term “flowable” means that the ionic liquid exhibits a viscosity of less than about 10,000 mPa·s at the temperatures as specified above.

It should be understood that the terms “ionic liquid”, “ionic compound”, and “IL” refer to ionic liquids, ionic liquid composites, and mixtures (or cocktails) of ionic liquids. The ionic liquid can comprise an anionic IL component and a cationic IL component. When the ionic liquid is in its liquid form, these components may freely associate with one another (i.e., in a scramble). As used herein, the term “cocktail of ionic liquids” refers to a mixture of two or more, preferably at least three, different and charged IL components, wherein at least one IL component is cationic and at least one IL component is anionic. Thus, the pairing of three cationic and anionic IL components in a cocktail would result in at least two different ionic liquids. The cocktails of ionic liquids may be prepared either by mixing individual ionic liquids having different IL components, or by preparing them via combinatorial chemistry. Such combinations and their preparation are discussed in further detail in US 2004/0077519A1 and US 2004/0097755A1. As used herein, the term “ionic liquid composite” refers to a mixture of a salt (which can be solid at room temperature) with a proton donor Z (which can be a liquid or a solid) as described in the references immediately above. Upon mixing, these components turn into a liquid at about 100° C. or less, and the mixture behaves like an ionic liquid.

Some of the properties that ionic liquids possess and make them attractive alternatives to conventional solvents include: a) ionic liquids have a broad liquid range; some ionic liquids can be in the liquid form at a temperature as low as −96° C. and others can be thermally stable at temperatures up to 200° C.; this permits effective kinetic control in many organic reactions and processes; b) ionic liquids have no effective vapor pressure, thus, they are easy to handle and they reduce safety concerns where volatility could be an issue; c) ionic liquids are effective solvents for a broad range of organic and inorganic materials due to their high polarity; d) ionic liquids are effective Bronsted/Lewis acids; and e) ionic liquids can be tuned to the specific application/chemistry desired, for example, they can be selectively made to have properties ranging from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. By virtue of their high polarity and charge density, ionic liquids have unique solvating properties, and may be used in a variety of processing environments and conditions.

Nonlimiting examples of anions and cations suitable for use in the ionic liquids for the present invention are discussed in details below.

Anions

Anions suitable for use in the ionic liquids of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following materials:

-   (1) Alkyl sulfates (AS), alkoxy sulfates and alkyl alkoxy sulfates,     wherein the alkyl or alkoxy is linear, branched or mixtures thereof;     furthermore, the attachment of the sulfate group to the alkyl chain     can be terminal on the alkyl chain (AS), internal on the alkyl chain     (SAS) or mixtures thereof: non-limiting examples include linear     C₁₀-C₂₀ alkyl sulfates having formula:     CH₃(CH₂)_(x+y)CH₂OSO₃ ⁻M⁺     wherein x+y is an integer of at least 8, preferably at least about     10; M⁺ is a cation selected from the cations of the ionic liquids as     described in detail herein; or linear C₁₀-C₂₀ secondary alkyl     sulfates having formula:     wherein x+y is an integer of at least 7, preferably at least about     9; x or y can be 0, M⁺ is a cation selected from the cations of the     ionic liquids as described in detail herein; or C10-C20 secondary     alkyl ethoxy sulfates having formula:     wherein x+y is an integer of at least 7, preferably at least about     9; x or y can be 0, M⁺ is a cation selected from the cations of the     ionic liquids as described in detail herein; non-limiting examples     of alkoxy sulfate include sulfated derivatives of commercially     available alkoxy copolymers, such as Pluronics® (from BASF); -   (2) Mono- and di-esters of sulfosuccinates: non-limiting examples     include saturated and unsaturated C₁₂₋₁₈ monoester sulfosuccinates,     such as lauryl sulfosuccinate available as Mackanate LO-100® (from     The McIntyre Group); saturated and unsaturated C₆-C₁₂ diester     sulfosuccinates, such as dioctyl ester sulfosuccinate available as     Aerosol OT® (from Cytec Industries, Inc.); -   (3) Methyl ester sulfonates (MES); -   (4) Alkyl aryl sulfonates, non-limiting examples include tosylate,     alkyl aryl sulfonates having linear or branched, saturated or     unsaturated C₈-C₁₄ alkyls; alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) such as     C₁₁-C₁₈ alkyl benzene sulfonates; sulfonates of benzene, cumene,     toluene, xylene, t-butyl benzene, di-isopropyl benzene, or isopropyl     benzene; naphthalene sulfonates and C₆₋₁₄ alkyl naphthalene     sulfonates, such as Petro® (from Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry);     sulfonates of petroleum, such as Monalube 605® (from Uniqema); -   (5) Alkyl glycerol ether sulfonates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms in     the alkyl moiety; -   (6) Diphenyl ether (bis-phenyl) derivatives: Non-limiting examples     include Triclosan (2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether) and     Diclosan (4,4′-dichloro-2-hydroxydiphenyl ether), both are available     as Irgasan® from Ciba Specialty Chemicals; -   (7) Linear or cyclic carboxylates: non-limiting examples include     citrate, lactate, tartarate, succinate, alkylene succinate, maleate,     gluconate, formate, cinnamate, benzoate, acetate, salicylate,     phthalate, aspartate, adipate, acetyl salicylate, 3-methyl     salicylate, 4-hydroxy isophthalate, dihydroxyfumarate, 1,2,4-benzene     tricarboxylate, pentanoate and mixtures thereof; -   (8) Alkyl oxyalkylene carboxylates: non-limiting examples include     C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy carboxylates preferably comprising 1-5 ethoxy     units; -   (9) Alkyl diphenyl oxide monosulfonate: non-limiting examples     include alkyl diphenyl oxide monosulfonate of the general formula:     wherein R¹ is C₁₀-C₁₈ linear or branched alkyl; R² and R³ are     independently SO₃ ⁻ or H, provided at least one of R² or R³ is not     hydrogen; R⁴ is R¹ or H; suitable alkyl diphenyl oxide     monosulfonates are available as DOWFAX® from Dow Chemical and as     POLY-TERGENT® from Olin Corp.; -   (10) Mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates (HSAS), mid-chain branched     alkyl aryl sulfonates (MLAS) and mid-chain branched alkyl     polyoxyalkylene sulfates; non-limiting examples of MLAS are     disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,680; U.S. Pat. No. 6,593,285; and     U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,303; -   (11) Alpha olefin sulfonates (AOS) and paraffin sulfonates,     non-limiting examples include C₁₀₋₂₂ alpha-olefin sulfonates,     available as Bio Terge AS-40® from Stepan Company; -   (12) Alkyl phosphate esters, non-limiting examples include C₈₋₂₂     alkyl phosphates, available as Emphos CS® and Emphos TS-230® from     Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry LLC; -   (13) Sarcosinates having the general formula RCON(CH₃)CH₂CO₂ ⁻,     wherein R is an alkyl from about C₈₋₂₀; non-limiting examples     include ammonium lauroyl sarcosinate, available as Hamposyl AL-30®     from Dow Chemicals and sodium oleoyl sarcosinate, available as     Hamposyl O® from Dow Chemical; -   (14) Taurates, such as C₈₋₂₂ alkyl taurates, available as sodium     coco methyl tauride or Geropon TC® from Rhodia, Inc.; -   (15) Sulfated and sulfonated oils and fatty acids, linear or     branched, such as those sulfates or sulfonates derived from     potassium coconut oil soap available as Norfox 1101® from Norman,     Fox & Co. and Potassium oleate from Chemron Corp.; -   (16) Alkyl phenol ethoxy sulfates and sulfonates, such as C₈₋₁₄     alkyl phenol ethoxy sulfates and sulfonates; non-limiting examples     include sulfated nonylphenol ethoxylate available as Triton XN-45S®     from Dow Chemical; -   (17) Fatty acid ester sulfonates having the formula:     R¹-CH(SO₃ ⁻)CO₂R²     wherein R¹ is linear or branched C₈ to C₁₈ alkyl, and R² is linear     or branched C₁ to C₆ alkyl; -   (18) Substituted salicylanilide anions having the formula (I):     wherein m is an integer from 0 to 4; n is an integer from 0 to 5;     the sum of m+n is greater than zero; a is 0 or 1; b is 0 or 1; g is     0 or 1; when b is 0, one of a and g must be 0; Z and Z′ are     independently selected from O and S; X and X′, when present, are     selected from O, S, and NR¹, where R¹ is independently selected from     the group consisting of H, C₁-C₁₆ linear or branched, substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl,     alkaryl, aralkyl, and aryl; T, when present, is selected from C═O,     C═S, S═O, and SO₂; when T is S═O or S₂, X and X′ may not be S; when     either a, b or g is 1 for a radical R-(X)_(a)-(T)_(b)-(X′)_(g)-, R     for that radical is independently selected from the group consisting     of H, C₁-C₁₆ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,     alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, and     aryl; when a, b and g are all 0 for a radical, R for that radical     may be further selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I,     CN, R₂N→O, NO₂; when all a, b and g are 0, at least one R must be     non-H; further provided that the total number of halogen atoms in     the molecule excluding any present in R does not exceed two; R² is     independently selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₆ linear or     branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, and aryl, and mixtures     thereof; derivatized substituted salicylanilide anions, wherein one     or both aromatic rings comprise additional substituents, are also     suitable for use herein; substituted salicylanilide and derivatives     thereof are disclosed in US 2002/0068014A1 and WO 04/026821; M⁺ is a     cation selected from the cations of the ionic liquids as disclosed     herein; -   (19) Substituted phenol or thiophenol anions having the formula     (II):     wherein m is an integer from 0 to 4; a is 0 or 1; b is 0 or 1; g is     0 or 1; when b is 0, one of a and g must be 0; Z is selected from O     and S; X and X′, when present, are selected from O, S, and NR¹; when     either a, b or g is 1 for a radical R-(X)_(a)-(T)_(b)-(X′)_(g)-, R     for that radical is independently selected from the group consisting     of H, C₁-C₁₆ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,     alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, and     aryl; when a, b and g are all 0 for a radical, R for that radical     may be further selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I,     CN, R₂N→O, NO₂; T, when present, is selected from C═O, C═S, S═O, and     SO₂; when T is S═O or SO₂, X and X′ may not be S; Y is a radical     comprising at least 1 but no more than 20 carbon atoms and     containing a substituent -X″-H, where X″ is selected from O, S, and     N-(T′)_(b′)-(X′″)_(a′)-R², where a′ is 0 or 1, b′ is 0 or 1, and     X′″, when present, is selected from O, S, and NR²; R² is     independently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₁₆ linear     or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, and aryl; T′, when     present, is selected from C═O, C═S, and SO₂; when T′ is SO₂, X′″ may     not be S; R³ is independently selected from the group consisting of     C₁-C₁₆ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,     alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, and     aryl, and mixtures thereof. The substituted phenol or thiophenol     anions are disclosed in US 2002/0068014A1 and WO 04/026821; M⁺ is a     cation selected from the cations of the ionic liquids as disclosed     herein; -   (20) Polyamino polycarboxylates: non-limiting examples include     ethylene ethylene-diamine tetraacetate (EDTA), diamine tetracetates,     N-hydroxy ethyl ethylene diamine triacetates, nitrilo-tri-acetates,     ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, triethylene tetraamine     hexacetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates, and ethanol     diglycines; -   (21) Aminopolyphosphonates: such as ethylenediamine tetramethylene     phosphonate and diethylene triamine pentamethylene-phosphonate; -   (22) Sweetener derived anions: saccharinate and acesulfamate;     wherein M+ is a cation selected from the cations of the ionic     liquids as described herein; -   (23) Ethoxylated amide sulfates; sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP);     dihydrogen phosphate; fluroalkyl sulfonate; bis-(alkylsulfonyl)     amine; bis-(fluoroalkylsulfonyl)amide;     (fluroalkylsulfonyl)(fluoroalkylcarbonyl)amide;     bis(arylsulfonyl)amide; carbonate; tetrafluorborate (BF₄ ⁻);     hexaflurophosphate (PF₆ ⁻); -   (24) Anionic bleach activators having the general formula:     R¹-CO—O—C₆H₄-R²     wherein R¹ is C₈-C₁₈ alkyl, C₈-C₁₈ amino alkyl, or mixtures thereof,     and R² is sulfonate or carbonate; non-limiting examples such as:

4-[N-(nonanoyl)aminohexanoyloxy]hexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,838; U.S. Pat. No. 6,448,430; U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,838; U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,919; U.S. Pat. No. 6,448,430; U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,879; U.S. Pat. No. 6,548,467.

Cations

Cations suitable for use in the ionic liquids of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following materials:

-   (a) Cations (i.e., in the protonated, cationic form) of amine     oxides, phosphine oxides, or sulfoxides: non-limiting examples     include amine oxide cations containing one C₈₋₁₈ alkyl moiety and 2     moieties selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃ alkyl groups and     C₁₋₃ hydroxyalkyl groups; phosphine oxide cations containing one     C₁₀₋₁₈ alkyl moiety and 2 moieties selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₃ alkyl groups and C₁₋₃ hydroxyalkyl groups; and     sulfoxide cations containing one C₁₀₋₁₈ alkyl moiety and a moiety     selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃ alkyl and C₁₋₃     hydroxyalkyl moieties; in some embodiments, the amine oxide cations     have the following formula:     wherein R³ is an C₈₋₂₂ alkyl, C₈₋₂₂ hydroxyalkyl, C₈₋₂₂ alkyl phenyl     group, and mixtures thereof; R⁴ is an C₂₋₃ alkylene or C₂₋₃     hydroxyalkylene group or mixtures thereof; x is from 0 to about 3;     and each R⁵ is independently an C₁₋₃ alkyl or C₁₋₃ hydroxyalkyl     group or a polyethylene oxide group containing an average of from     about 1 to about 3 ethylene oxide groups; the R⁵ groups may be     attached to each other, e.g., through an oxygen or nitrogen atom, to     form a ring structure; other exemplary amine oxide cations include     C₁₀-C₁₈, C₁₀, C₁₀-C₁₂, and C₁₂-C₁₄ alkyl dimethyl amine oxide     cations, and C₈-C₁₂ alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethyl amine oxide     cations; -   (b) Betaines having the general formula:     R-N⁽⁺⁾(R¹)₂-R²COOH     wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups     containing from about 10 to about 22 carbon atoms, preferably from     about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms, alkyl aryl and aryl alkyl groups     containing a similar number of carbon atoms with a benzene ring     treated as equivalent to about 2 carbon atoms, and similar     structures interrupted by amido or ether linkages; each R¹ is an     alkyl group containing from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; and R² is an     alkylene group containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms;     non-limiting examples of betaines include dodecyl dimethyl betaine,     acetyl dimethyl betaine, dodecyl amidopropyl dimethyl betaine,     tetradecyl dimethyl betaine, tetradecyl amidopropyl dimethyl     betaine, dodecyl dimethyl ammonium hexanoate; and amidoalkylbetaines     which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,950,417; 4,137,191; and     4,375,421; and British Patent GB No. 2,103,236; in another     embodiment, the cation may be a sulfobetaine, which are disclosed in     U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,602; -   (c) Amphodiacetates, such as disodium cocodiacetate, available as     Mackam 2C® from McIntyre; -   (d) Diester quaternary ammonium (DEQA) cations of the type:     R_((4-m))-N⁺-[(CH₂)_(n)-Y-R¹]_(m)     wherein each R substituent is selected from hydrogen; C₁-C₆ alkyl or     hydroxyalkyl, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, or hydroxyethyl, and     more preferably methyl; poly(C₁-C₃ alkoxy), preferably polyethoxy;     benzyl; or a mixture thereof; m is 2 or 3; each n is from 1 to about     4; each Y is —O—(O)C—, —C(O)—O—, —NR—C(O)—, or —C(O)—NR—; with the     proviso that when Y is —O—(O)C— or —NR—C(O)—, the sum of carbons in     each R¹ plus one is C₁₂-C₂₂, preferably C₁₄-C₂₀, with each R¹ being     a hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl group; in one embodiment,     the DEQA cation is an alkyl dimethyl hydroxyethyl quaternary     ammonium as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,922; in another     embodiment, the DEQA cation has the general formula:     R₃N⁺CH₂CH(YR¹)(CH₂YR¹)     wherein each Y, R, R¹ have the same meanings as before; in yet     another embodiment, the DEQA cation is [CH₃]₃     N⁽⁺⁾[CH₂CH(CH₂O(O)CR¹)O(O)CR¹] wherein each R¹ is in the range of     C₁₅ to C₁₉; -   (e) Alkylene quaternary ammonium cations having the formula:     R_((4-m))-N⁺-R¹ _(m)     wherein each m is 2 or 3; each R is independently an alkyl or     hydroxyalkyl C₁-C₆ moiety, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl or     hydroxyethyl, and more preferably methyl; each R¹ is independently a     linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C₆-C₂₂ alkyl or alkoxy     moiety, preferably C₁₄-C₂₀ moiety, but no more than one R¹ being     less than about C₁₂ and then the other R¹ is at least about C₁₆; or     hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl moiety, preferably C₁₀-C₂₀     alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl; in one     embodiment, the cation is dialkylenedimethyl ammonium, such as     dioleyldimethyl ammonium available from Witco Corporation under the     tradename Adogen® 472; in another embodiment, the cation     monoalkenyltrimethyl ammonium, such as monooleyltrimethyl ammonium,     monocanolatrimethyl ammonium, and soyatrimethyl ammonium; -   (f) Difatty amido quaternary ammonium cations such as:     [R¹-C(O)-NR-R²-N(R)₂-R³-NR-C(O)-R¹]⁺     wherein R and R¹ are as defined in cation (e) above, R² and R³ are     C₁-C₆ alkylene moieties; for example, difatty amido quats are     commercially available from Witco under the Varisoft® tradename; -   (g) C₈₋₂₂ quaternary surfactants such as isostearyl ethyl imidonium     available in its ethosulfate salt form as Schercoquat IIS® from     Scher Chemicals, Inc., quaternium-52 obtainable as Dehyquart SP®     from Cognis Corporation, and dicoco dimethyl ammonium available in     its chloride salt form as Arquad 2C-75® from Akzo Nobel Surface     Chemistry LLC; -   (h) Cationic esters such as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,042,     U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,660, U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,529 and U.S. Pat. No.     6,022,844; -   (i) 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-3-isothiazolone, which is obtainable as     Kathon® from Rohm and Haas; -   (j) Quaternary amino polyoxyalkylene derivatives (choline and     choline derivatives); -   (k) Alkyl oxyalkylene cations; -   (l) Alkoxylate quaternary ammoniums (AQA) as discussed in U.S. Pat.     No. 6,136,769; -   (m) Substituted and unsubstituted pyrrolidinium, imidazolium,     benzimidazolium, pyrazolium, benzpyrazolium, thiazolium,     benzthiazolium, oxazolium, benzoxazolium, isoxazolium,     isothiazolium, imdazolidenium, Guanidinium, indazolium,     quinuclidinium, triazolium, isoquinuclidinium, piperidinium,     morpholinium, pyridazinium, pyrazinium, triazinium, azepinium,     diazepinium, pyridinium, piperidonium, pyrimidinium, thiophenium;     phosphonium; in one embodiment, the cation is an substituted     imidazolium cation having the formula:     wherein each R and R¹ are as defined in cation (e) above; each R² is     a C₁-C₆ alkylene group, preferably an ethylene group; and G is an     oxygen atom or an -NR- group; for example, the cation     1-methyl-1-oleylamidoethyl-2-oleylimidazolinium is available     commercially from the Witco Corporation under the trade name     Varisoft® 3690; in another embodiment, the cation is alkylpyridinium     cation having the formula:

wherein R¹ is an acyclic aliphatic C₈-C₂₂ hydrocarbon group; in another embodiment, the cation is an alkanamide alkylene pyridinium cation having the formula:

wherein R¹ is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C₆-C₂₂ alkyl or alkoxy moiety, or a hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl moiety, and R² is a C₁-C₆ alkylene moiety;

-   (n) Cationic bleach activators having a quaternary ammonium moiety     including but not limited to     these and other cationic bleach activators suitable for use herein     as cations of the ionic liquids are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.     5,599,781, U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,015, U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,015, WO     95/29160, U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,781, U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,179, EP 1 253     190 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,665, U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,528, U.S. Pat.     No. 5,281,361, and Bulletin de la Societe Chimique de France (1973),     (3)(Pt. 2), 1021-7; -   (o) Cationic anti-microbial agents, such as cetyl pyridinium,     chlorohexidine and domiphen. -   (p) Alkylated caffeine cations, such as     wherein R₁ and R₂ are C1 to C12 alkyl or alkylene groups. -   (q) Alkyl poly amino carboxylates, such as     wherein R is C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl or alkylene groups or is coco, tallow     or oleyl; non-limiting examples include Ampholak® 7CX/C, Ampholak®     7TX/C, and Ampholak® XO7/C from Akzo Nobel.

Thus, the ionic liquids suitable for use herein may have various anionic and cationic combinations. The ionic species can be adjusted and mixed such that properties of the ionic liquids can be customized for specific applications, so as to provide the desired solvating properties, viscosity, melting point, and other properties, as desired. These customized ionic liquids have been referred to as “designer solvents”.

The ionic liquids can be present in various compositions suitable for use in the processes disclosed herein in any desired effective amount. Typically, the ionic liquids are present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 100%, preferably from about 1% to about 85%, and more preferably from about 5% to about 75%, by weight of the textile treating composition. In some embodiments, the ionic liquids comprise at least about 50% by weight of the textile treating composition. In further embodiments, the ionic liquids comprise at least about 80% by weight of the textile treating composition, and in yet further embodiments, the ionic liquids comprise at least about 90% by weight of the textile treating composition.

Many ionic liquids are hygroscopic, thus, may contain appreciable amounts of water (referred to herein as the “innate” or “bound” water) ranging from about 0.01% to less than about 50% by weight of the ionic liquid. It should be noted that “free water” may be added in making the treating composition of the present invention. A person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that once the components (e.g., innate water and free water) are mixed in a composition, the components can no longer be distinguished by their origin and will be reported in totality as percentage of the overall composition. Thus, the textile treating compositions of the present invention may comprise water, regardless of its origin, ranging from about 0.01% to about 50%, preferably from about 1% to about 40%, more preferably from about 5% to about 30% by weight of the composition. The treating compositions may optionally include a co-solvent. Typical examples of co-solvents include, but are not limited to, linear or branched C1-C10 alcohols, diols, and mixtures thereof. In specific embodiments, co-solvents such as ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol are used in some of the compositions of the present invention. In additional specific embodiments, the ionic liquid textile treating composition is substantially free of free water and/or other organic solvents. These compositions will contain less than about 10 weight percent, more specifically less than about 5 weight percent, even more specifically less than about 1 weight percent, free water and/or other organic solvents.

In some embodiments, the textile treating compositions containing ionic liquids or cocktails of ionic liquids (undiluted with adjuncts, co-solvents or free water) employed herein have viscosities of less than about 2000 mPa·s, preferably less than about 750 mPa·s, as measured at 20° C. In other embodiments, the viscosity of undiluted ionic liquids are in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 mPa·s, preferably from about 0.5 to about 400 mPa·s, and more preferably from about 1 to about 300 mPa·s at 20° C. In still another embodiment, the viscosity of textile treating composition containing ILs lowers to less than about 2000 mPa·s, preferably less than about 500 mPa·s, and more preferably less than about 300 mPa·s, when heated to a temperature in the range of about 40° C. to 60° C.

The viscosities of the ionic fluids and compositions containing them can be measured on a Brookfield viscometer model number LVDVII+ at 20° C., with spindle no. S31 at the appropriate speed to measure materials of different viscosities. Typically, the measurement is done at a speed of 12 rpm to measure products of viscosity greater than about 1000 mPa·s; 30 rpm to measure products with viscosities between about 500 mPa·s to about 1000 mPa·s; and 60 rpm to measure products with viscosities less than about 500 mPa·s. The undiluted state is prepared by storing the ionic liquids or cocktails in a desiccator containing a desiccant (e.g. calcium chloride) at room temperature for at least about 48 hours prior to the viscosity measurement. This equilibration period unifies the amount of innate water in the undiluted samples.

According to the present processes, the textile comprising fibers is contacted with the composition containing an ionic liquid (which, as noted above, may comprise a mixture or cocktail of ionic liquids) under conditions sufficient to modify surfaces of the fibers and provide, or facilitate provision of, a performance improvement thereto. A performance improvement is any physical property which is improved by the ionic liquid treatment. In one embodiment wherein the textile fibers are in contact with the ionic liquid-containing composition for a sufficient time such that the polarity and/or ionic charges, attributable to presence of IL, may interrupt hydrogen bondings between fibers, thereby crystal structure changes in at least the surfaces of the fibers may result. In another embodiment, the textile fibers are contacted by the ionic liquid-containing composition for a sufficient time such that partial dissolution of at least one outer layer of the surfaces of the fibers may result.

Dissolution of the surface layer(s) and/or changes in crystal structure can provide various improvements in physical properties of the fibers, including, but not limited to, improvements in one or more of the textile's wrinkle resistance, smoothness, softness, shape retention properties, and the like.

Further, modifications obtained according to the present processes, including, but not limited to, partial dissolution of at least one outer layer of the fibers and/or changes in crystal structure, can enable embedding and/or attachment of at least one benefit agent in the surfaces of the fibers, for example, by further contacting the textile with a composition comprising a benefit agent, either simultaneously with or subsequent to the contact with the ionic liquid-containing composition. Alternatively, the benefit agent may be present, either as an adjunct or as an ionic liquid active, in the IL-containing composition.

In one embodiment, the embedded or attached benefit agent is released from the fibers in a controlled manner (e.g., a slow and sustained release over time). In another embodiment, the benefit agent can be protected or stabilized by the ionic liquids such that the benefit agent is delivered in a controlled manner (e.g., by triggering factors, such as copious amount of water, pH change, heat).

Suitable benefit agents include, but are not limited to, perfumes, dyes, dye fixative agents, sizings, skin conditioning actives, vitamins, enzymes, surfactants, anti-abrasion agents, wrinkle resistant agents, stain resistant agents, water resistant agents, flame retardants, antimicrobial agents, metal bleach catalysts, bleaching agents, fabric softeners, anti-pilling agents, water repellant agents, ultraviolet protection agents, brighteners, mixtures thereof (i.e., of two or more of these types of benefit agents). Additional examples of suitable benefit agents are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,943, Beerse et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,548,470, Buzzaccarini et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,793, Gordon et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,234, Sivik et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,525,012, Price et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,566,323, Littig et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,767, Jackson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,420, 326, Sherry et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,538, Panandiker et al.; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0166495A1, Wang at al.; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0121929A1, Wang at al.

The benefit agents may be included in a textile treating composition in any desired amount. Typical textile treating compositions may contain from about 0.001 to about 20 percent by weight of the benefit agent(s). In more specific embodiments, such compositions may comprise from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight, and more specifically, from about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight, of the benefit agent(s). One skilled in the art will recognize in view of the foregoing therefore that the modification may be conducted to any desired depth in the textile fibers and is not limited to surface modifications.

The processes according to the invention may be conducted in any one or combination of continuous, semi-continuous or batch processing techniques. The contacting step may be achieved in a manner known in the art, for example, including, but not limited to, by immersion techniques, or by non-immersion techniques such as spraying, misting, foaming, padding, or the like. In one embodiment, the composition is provided in the form of droplets and the textile fibers are contacted using a non-immersion technique.

Additionally, the process may be conducted during textile mill manufacture or processing, for example in a separate treatment step or during a conventional processing step, for example during a treatment such as sizing, desizing, bleaching, scouring, mercerization, dyeing, printing, finishing, coating, combinations thereof, or the like. Exemplary textile mill processes which may be employed are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0226213; and in “Textile Processing and Properties: Preparation, Dyeing, Finishing and Performance”, by Vigo, Elsevier, 1994. Alternatively, the process may be conducted by a consumer on a garment, for example during home laundering or drying, or other in-home textile/garment treating processes. The specific physical conditions under which the contacting is conducted may be varied based on the particular textile fiber to be treated, the treating composition used and the desired physical property improvement thereof.

In one embodiment, energy may be applied to the textile fibers, either prior to, simultaneous with and/or subsequent to the contact with the ionic liquid-containing composition, in order to facilitate achievement and/or durability of the desired improvement. Energy may be applied in the form of heat and/or radiation, including, but not limited to microwave, infrared, ultrasonic, or combinations thereof, and the like. Additionally, the contacting step may be conducted under increased pressure, at ambient pressure, or under a reduced pressure vacuum.

The time which will be sufficient to obtain modification according to the invention will be dependent on process specifics. In one embodiment, the contact time is at least about one minute. In an alternate embodiment, the contact time is at least about five minutes. After the contacting step has been conducted for a time sufficient to modify surfaces of the fibers and provide or facilitate provision of a performance improvement thereto, the composition is at least partially removed from the textile. In one embodiment, the composition is substantially fully removed, whereby the textile comprises less than about 5 weight percent, more specifically less than about 1 weight percent, and more specifically less than about 0.1 weight percent of the ionic liquid after the removal step. The composition may be removed from the textile by any technique known in the art, including, but not limited to, rinsing with water, pressing, squeezing, padding, centrifugation, vacuum extraction, combinations thereof, and the like. In one embodiment, the composition is collected after it is removed from the textile, for example for recycle and reuse in the process.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

1. A process for modifying a textile to improve performance of the textile, the process comprising: a) contacting a textile comprising fibers with a treating composition comprising an ionic liquid under conditions sufficient to modify at least a portion of the surface of the fibers; b) optionally, contacting the textile with a composition comprising a benefit agent; and c) at least partially removing the treating composition from the textile.
 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the surface modification comprises a partial dissolution of at least one outer layer of the fibers.
 3. The process of claim 1, wherein the surface modification results in crystal structure change in at least the surfaces of the fibers.
 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the treated textile exhibits improved property selected from the group consisting of: wrinkle resistance, smoothness, softness, shape retention, and combinations thereof.
 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the surface modification enables embedding and/or attachment of at least one benefit agent in the surfaces of the fibers.
 6. The process of claim 1, wherein the benefit agent is selected from the group consisting of perfumes, dyes, dye fixative agents, sizings, skin conditioning actives, vitamins, enzymes, surfactants, anti-abrasion agents, wrinkle resistant agents, stain resistant agents, water resistant agents, flame retardants, antimicrobial agents, metal bleach catalysts, bleaching agents, fabric softeners, anti-pilling agents, water repellant agents, ultraviolet protection agents, brighteners, and mixtures thereof.
 7. The process of claim 1, wherein the benefit agent is adapted for controlled release from the surface of the fiber.
 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the treating composition comprises at least about 50% by weight of the composition of the ionic liquid.
 9. The process of claim 1, wherein the contacting step is conducted during an additional treatment selected from the group consisting of sizing, desizing, bleaching, scouring, mercerization, dyeing, printing, finishing, coating, and combinations thereof.
 10. The process of claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid includes an anionic component comprising one or more anions selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkoxy sulfates, alkyl alkoxy sulfates, monoesters of sulfosuccinates, diesters of sulfosuccinates, methyl ester sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl glycerol ether sulfonates, diphenyl ethers, linear carboxylates, cyclic carboxylates, alkyl oxyalkylene carboxylates, monosulfonates of diphenyl oxides, mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates, mid-chain branched alkylaryl sulfonates, mid-chain branched alkyl polyoxyalkylene sulfates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphate esters, sarcosinates, taurates, sulfated oils and fatty acids, sulfonated oils and fatty acids, alkyl phenol ethoxy sulfates, alkyl phenol ethoxy sulfonates, fatty acid ester sulfonates, substituted salicylanilides, substituted phenol anions, substituted thiophenol anions, polyamino polycarboxylates, aminopolyphosphates, sweetener-derived anions, ethoxylated amide sulfates, sodium tripolyphosphate; dihydrogen phosphate; fluroalkyl sulfonate; bis-(alkylsulfonyl) amine; bis-(fluoroalkylsulfonyl)amide; (fluroalkylsulfonyl) (fluoroalkylcarbonyl)amide; bis(arylsulfonyl)amide; carbonate; tetrafluorborate (BF₄ ⁻); hexaflurophosphate (PF₆ ⁻); and anionic bleach activators having the general formula: R₁-CO—O—C₆H₄-R₂, wherein R₁ is C8-C18 alkyl, C8-C18 amino alkyl, or mixtures thereof, and R₂ is sulfonate or carbonate, and mixturees thereof.
 11. The process of claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid includes a cationic component comprising one or more cations selected from the group consisting of amine oxide cations, phosphine oxide cations, sulfoxide cations, betaines, diester quaternary ammonium (DEQA) cations, alkylene quaternary ammonium cations, difatty amido quaternary ammonium cations, C₈₋₂₂ quaternary surfactants, cationic esters, 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-3-isothiazolone, quaternary amino polyoxyalkylenes, alkyl oxyalkylene cations, alkoxylate quaternary ammoniums, substituted and unsubstituted pyrrolidinium, imidazolium, benzimidazolium, pyrazolium, benzpyrazolium, thiazolium, benzthiazolium, oxazolium, benzoxazolium, isoxazolium, isothiazolium, imdazolidenium, guanidinium, indazolium, quinuclidinium, triazolium, isoquinuclidinium, piperidinium, morpholinium, pyridazinium, pyrazinium, triazinium, azepinium, diazepinium, pyridinium, piperidonium, pyrimidinium, thiophenium; and phosphonium, cationic bleach activators having a quaternary ammonium moiety, cationic anti-microbial agents, alkylated caffeine cations, alkyl poly amino carboxylates, and mixtures thereof.
 12. The process of claim 1, wherein the textile comprises loose fibers, a yarn, a woven textile, a nonwoven textile, a knitted textile, or a fabric article.
 13. The process of claim 1, wherein the contacting step is performed by a non-immersive method selected from the group consisting of spraying, misting, foaming, and combinations thereof.
 14. The process of claim 13, wherein the composition is in the form of droplets.
 15. The process of claim 1, wherein the composition is removed from the textile by rinsing with water, pressing, squeezing, padding, centrifugation, vacuum extraction, or combinations thereof.
 16. The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of collecting the composition removed from the textile.
 17. The process of claim 1, wherein energy is applied to the composition prior to or during the contacting step.
 18. The process of claim 17, wherein energy is selected from heat, microwave, infrared, ultrasonic, and combinations thereof.
 19. The process of claim 1, wherein pressure is applied during the contacting step. 